Protective case for collectible cards

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a protective case for collectible cards and other items, which provides a solution to the problem of protecting collectable items while shipping and displaying. The core components of the invention are a case with an indent configured to secure a collectable card or other item and a flat base configured to act as a base so the protective case is able to stand on end and display the collectable card or other item, and connective hinges configured to secure the connective hinges to other protective cases or other protective devices.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to 63/218,271 filed on Jul. 2, 2021, which in incorporated in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Various forms of protective cases exist for collectable cards and other valuable items. Many collectable cards are graded and placed in a hard clear plastic case. The case is intended to be permanent in most cases and it is desirable to keep the case from being damaged so the view of the card is not encumbered by scratches and dents.

Collectable cards are normally shipped in boxes with protective filler such as packing peanuts or bubble wrap. Although this is generally adequate protection for a single card in a protective case, when several cards are shipped together they can often end up rubbing against one another and damaging each other. Also, the cards do not arrive in a presentable manner. The person receiving the cards has to carefully unwrap the cards and place the cards in a separate device for presentation.

Most devices used for presenting cards would provide very little protection for the cards or are too bulky to ship one or even a handful of cards.

SUMMARY

The disclosed device is unique when compared with other known devices and solutions because it provides a protective case that can be used both for shipping and for display.

The disclosed device is unique in that it is structurally different from other known devices or solutions. More specifically, the device is unique due to the presence of: (1) a case with an indent for a card or similar item and connecting items for connecting the protective case to another protective case or other protective element; and (2) a case with a flat bottom balanced to stand and display the card or other item either alone or while connected to other cases or protective elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example front view of a protective case.

FIG. 2 shows an example front view of two connected protective cases.

FIG. 3 shows an example bottom view of the two connected protective cases with the cases folded together.

FIG. 4 shows an example front view of a protective case connected to a protective case

FIG. 5 shows an example bottom view of the protective case connected to the protective case with the protective case and the protective case folded together.

FIG. 6 shows an example front view of two connected protective cases.

FIG. 7 shows an example bottom view of several protective cases and a protective case connected and folded together.

FIG. 8 shows an example front view of a protective case with friction pads.

FIG. 9 shows an example front view of a protective case with a pressing plate.

FIG. 10 shows an example front view of a protective case with a turn button.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the Summary above, in this Detailed Description, the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used—to the extent possible—in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.

The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” (or “which comprises”) components A, B, and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C but also contain one or more other components.

Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).

The term “at least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range including that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, “at least 1” means 1 or more than 1. The term “at most” followed by a number is used herein to denote the end of a range, including that number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, “at most 4” means 4 or less than 4, and “at most 40%” means 40% or less than 40%. When, in this specification, a range is given as “(a first number) to (a second number)” or “(a first number)— (a second number),” this means a range whose limits include both numbers. For example, “25 to 100” means a range whose lower limit is 25 and upper limit is 100 and includes both 25 and 100.

FIG. 1 shows an example front view of a protective case 100. The protective case 100 may have a base 105 with an indent 110 in the base 105. The protective case 100 may also include first connectors 122 on a first side of the base 105 and second connectors 124 on a second side of the base 105 opposite the first side. The base 105 may have a rectangular prism shape with a flat bottom side. The indent 110 may have a rectangular prism shape as well (which may be complementary to the shape of a collectable card or card case). In some embodiments, other shapes may be used so the indent 110 conforms to the shape of the object being shipped and/or displayed in the protective case 100.

Standard collectable cards (not shown) are 3.5 by 2.5 inches. A card case (not shown) for a standard collectible card may be about 4.5 by 3 inches and about 0.25 inches thick.

The indent 110 may be slightly larger than the size of the card case about 4.55 by 3.05 inches and about 0.25-. 5 inches deep. The base 105 may have a height of 5-7 inches, width of 4-5 inches and depth of about 0.75-1.25 inches. It may be advantageous to have the indent 110 be deeper than the thickness of the card case to provide some protection to the card case from objects rubbing the front face of the protective case 100.

The first connectors 122 and second connectors 124 may be part of a hinge system for connecting protective cases 100 and other protective devices together in a way that connected protectives cases 100 and other protective items can close (e.g., go face to face) for shipping and storage and open for display and standing on end. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the first connectors 122 may be male connectors for a hinge system and the second connectors 124 may be female connectors for the hinge system. From the perspective of FIG. 1 , the first connectors 122 may be on or around the front left edge of the base 105 and the second connectors 124 may be on or around the back right edge of the base 105. Restated, the first connectors 122 and the second connectors 124 may be on opposite edges of the base 105. The first connectors 122 may have a shank and a ball making up the male connector. The second connectors 124 may include two prongs with indents complimentary to the ball of the first connector 122 so that the ball of the first connector 122 fits securely between the two prongs. Other hinge systems such as hinges that use pins may also be used. The first connectors 122 and second connectors 124 may be made of plastic, metal, or other durable material suitable for hinge systems. The base 105 may be made of plastic, wood, metal, or other materials suitable for protecting and supporting (for display and storage/shipment) a card case or other item.

Protective cases 100 that hold more than one card case or another item are also possible. For example, multiple indents 110 may be included in a protective case 100. In some non-limiting embodiments protective cases 100 may have a top component 310 and a bottom component 320 whereby top component 310 and bottom component 320 are connected by a series of detachable snap fastening connections. When connected together top component 310 may cover and protect a card place in indent 110 which is positioned on bottom component 320.

FIG. 2 shows an example front view of two connected protective cases 100. FIG. 3 shows an example bottom view of the two connected protective cases 100 with the cases folded together in a closed position. Each of the protective cases may include a different layout of first connectors and second connectors. For example, one protective case 100 may have first connectors on a front edge (edge connecting to front side of the base 105 with the indent 110) while the second protective case 100 may have second connectors on a front edge (edge connecting to a back side of the base 105 opposite the front side). In this way, the second connectors 124 on the first protective case (left in FIG. 2 ) and the first connectors 122 on the second protective case 100 (right in FIG. 2 ) can be connected in a way that protective cases 100 can rotate (relative to each other) to a closed position where the front sides of the protective cases 100 are proximate to each other and rotate (relative to each other) to an open position where the front sides are visible to a viewer. In the closed position (shown in FIG. 3 ) the front faces may be about parallel, in an open position (shown in FIG. 2 ) the front faces may be about 90-180 degrees from each other. The bottom side (viewed in FIG. 3 ) of protective cases 100 may be flat such that the protective case 100 may be stood up on end on the bottom side. In some embodiments, the protective case 100 may also be balanced such that the protective case will balance/stay up when stood up on the bottom side (with or without a card case or other item in the indent 110).

The first connectors 122 and second connectors 124 may extend out and way from the base 105 (e.g., diagonally away from the front face or back face of the base 105) such that the connection between the first connectors 122 and second connectors 124 of different protective cases 100 allows the protective cases 100 to rotate to a position where the front faces of the protective cases are parallel and proximate to each other.

FIG. 4 shows an example front view of a protective case 300 connected to a protective case 200. FIG. 5 shows an example bottom view of the protective case 300 connected to the protective case 200 with the protective case and the protective case folded together in a closed position. The protective case 300 may be similar to the protective case 100 in all but that the protective case 300 only includes first connectors 322 on a front edge of a base 305 of the protective case 300. The protective case may not include second connectors 324 (not shown in this figure) on a back edge of the base 305. If second connectors 324 are included on a protective case 300 then first connectors 322 may not be included. Restated, the protective case 300 may include either first connectors 322 or second connectors 324 on a front edge of the base 305. The base 305 may include an indent 310 similar to the indent 110 of protective case 100. The first connectors 322 and second connectors 324 of the protective case 300 may be the same as the first connectors 122 and second connectors 124 of the protective case 100.

The protective case 200 may have a base 205 and first connectors 222 (not shown in this figure) or second connectors 224 on an edge of the base 205. The base 205 may have similar dimensions to the base 305 of the protective case 300 so the protective case 200 can close over the indent 310 in the protective case to protect the card case or other item in the indent 310. The protective case 200 may also act to stabilize the protective case 300 when the protective case 200 and protective case 300 are connected and are in an open position and stand on end. The protective case 200 may be thinner than the protective case 300 because it does not need to have an indent such as indent 310 for containing a card case or other item.

FIG. 6 shows an example front view of two connected protective cases 300. One protective case 300 may have first connectors 322 on a front edge of the base 305 and the other may have second connectors on a front edge of the base 305. Thus, the first connectors of the first protective case 300 can connect with the second connectors 324 of the other protective case 300 such that the protective cases can close to a closed position and open to an open position.

FIG. 7 shows an example bottom view of several protective cases 100, 300 and a protective case 200 connected and folded together. The protective cases 100 may be connected to another protective case 100, protective case 300, or protective case 200. The protective case 100, protective case 300, or protective case 200 may be connected by connecting in a line with first connectors 122, 222, 322 and second connectors 124, 224, 324. At one end of the line a protective case 300 or protective case 200 may be connected and at a second end of the line a protective case 300 or protective case 200 may be connected so that no additional first connectors 122, 222, 322 and second connectors 124, 224, 324 stick out from the ends of the line. The middle of the line may be protective cases 100 that can connect on both sides. The line may have any number of protective cases 100, so any number of card cases or other items can be protected by a line of protective case 100, protective case 300, and/or protective case 200. When the line is folded into a closed position, all of the indents 110, 310 may be covered by the base 105, 205, 305 of one of the other protective cases 100, protective cases 300, or protective case 200. The line of protective case(s) 100, protective case(s) 300, and/or protective case(s) 200 may be considered a device with each of the protective case(s) 100, protective case(s) 300, and/or protective case(s) 200 being a protective element. The line may be secured in a closed position by securing devices (not shown) such as rubber band, cord, latches, hooks, or other similar devices, which may be permanently fixed to one of the protective elements.

In some embodiments, the card case or other item may be held in the indent 110 (or indent 300) by friction between the base 105 (or base 305) and the card case or other item. However, in other embodiments different features may be included to improve friction or otherwise help secure the card case or other item in the indent 110.

The protective case 200 may be used when an odd number of protective cases 100, 300 are needed, thus rather than having a protective case 100, 300 without a card case or other item in the indent 110, 310, protective case 100 (that may be thinner and lighter than a protective case 100, 300 and more aesthetically pleasing) may be used.

FIG. 8 shows an example front view of a protective case 100 with friction pads 112. The friction pads may include a material with at least one of greater elasticity and greater surface friction than the material of the base 105. The friction pads 112 may include rubber, silicone, adhesive putty, or other similar materials. The friction pads 112 may be placed within the indent 110 to provide additional friction between the card case or other item and the base 105 to hold the cards or other items in the indent 110 in the base 105. The friction pads 112 may be arranged on one or more sides of the indent 110. In some embodiments, friction pads 112 may be included on all sides of the indent 110. Indent 110 may have an upper semi hemispherical or hemispherical portion 114 allowing for easier removal of cards.

FIG. 9 shows an example front view of a protective case 100 with a pressing plate 116. The pressing plate 116 and at least one spring 118 or other pressing device may be included in the indent 110 and configured to press a card case or other item in the indent by pressing the card case or other item into a wall of the indent opposite the pressing plate 116. The pressing plate may include a hard material such as metal, plastic, or similar materials, and may also include a high friction material such as rubber, silicone, or other similar materials over the hard material.

FIG. 10 shows an example front view of a protective case 100 with a turn button 130. The turn button may include a pin passing into the base 105 and an arm capable of turning around the pin to a position partially over the indent 110 and to a position where the arm is not over the indent 110. The turn button 130 may thus be configured to secure a card case or other item in the indent 110 while the arm is partially over the indent 110 and configured to not prevent the case cover or other item from entering or leaving the indent 110 when the arm is not over the indent 110.

The protective case 100 may include one or more of the friction pads 112, pressing plate 116 and springs 118, and turn button 130. For example, the protective case 100 may include friction pads 112 in the indent 110 and one or more turn buttons 130 on the front face of the base 105 beside the indent 110. Protective cases 300 may also include similar friction pads 112, pressing plate 116 and springs 118, and turn button 130.

Advantageously, the protective cases 100, 300 may secure and protect card cases and other items in indents. The protective cases 100, 300 may also advantageously be connected to other protective cases 100, 300 and protective cases 200 and arranged to move into a closed position that covers the indents 110 and an open position where the items in the indents may be viewed and displayed with the protective cases standing on a bottom side. The connection between the protective cases 100, 300 and other protective cases 100, 300 and protective cases 200 also advantageously allows for additional stabilization when the protective cases 100, 300 and protective cases 200 are connected stood on end (especially when in a ‘V shape, ‘w’ shape, or similar shape).

The first connectors 122, 222, 322 and second connectors 124, 224, 324 may be separated and connected (i.e., removably connected) making the design modular for any number of protective cases 100, 200.

Also, the protective cases 100 have the advantage of being both protective for shipping and storage and also being useful for displaying the protected card case or other item.

Accordingly, the present description provides for various embodiments for a protective case 100. Many uses and advantages are offered by the protective case 100 as described above in one or more non-limiting embodiments in the present description.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of any means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The present invention, according to one or more embodiments described in the present description, may be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective case system comprising: a first protective element wherein the first protective element includes a base with a front face with an indent configured to secure a first item, and a first connector; and a second protective element including a second connector configured to removably connect to the first connector, wherein the first connector and the second connector are connected such that the first protective element is able to rotate relative to the second protective element to a closed position where the indent is on a bottom component of the first protective element wherein the indent is covered by a top component of the first protective element.
 2. The protective case system of claim 1, wherein the top component and the bottom component are connected by one or more removable fasteners.
 3. The protective case system of claim 1, wherein the second protective element includes a second base with a second front face with a second indent configured to secure a second item.
 4. The protective case system of claim 1, wherein the first protective element includes a third connector and the base includes a back face, wherein the back face is opposite the front face, wherein the first connector is connected at an edge of the front face and the third connector is connected at an edge of the back face.
 5. The protective case system of claim 1, wherein the second protective element is thinner than the first protective element.
 6. The protective case system of claim 1, wherein the second protective element does not have the indent.
 7. A protective case system comprising: a first protective element wherein the first protective element includes a base with a front face with an indent configured to secure a first card or card case, and a first connecting element on a first side.
 8. The protective case system of claim 7, wherein the first connecting element is at or near a left edge.
 9. The protective case system of claim 8, wherein the first side is on a front of the protective case system.
 10. The protective case system of claim 9: further comprising a second connecting element at a second side.
 11. The protective case system of claim 10, wherein the second connecting element is at or near a right edge.
 12. The protective case system of claim 11, wherein the second side is opposite of the first side.
 13. The protective case system of claim 7, wherein the indent has a rectangular shape.
 14. The protective case system of claim 7, wherein the indent has a rectangular shaped bottom component and a hemispherical top component.
 15. The protective case system of claim 7, wherein a pressure plate with one or more springs is positioned inside of the indent.
 16. The protective case system of claim 7, wherein one or more friction members are positioned in the indent.
 17. The protective case system of claim 7, wherein the first connecting element is one component of a hinge connection including two receiving prongs and shank and a ball connector.
 18. A protective case system comprising: a first protective element wherein the first protective element includes a base with a front face with a first indent configured to secure a first item, and a first connector; and a second protective element wherein the second protective element includes a second base with a second front face with a second indent configured to secure a second item, and a second connector, wherein the first connector and the second connector are connectable such that the first protective element is able to rotate relative to the second protective element to a closed position where the indent is on a bottom component of the first protective element wherein the indent is covered by a top component of the first protective element that is removably connected to the bottom component.
 19. The protective case system of claim 18, wherein the first protective element is removably connected to the bottom component by one or more snap fit connections.
 20. The protective case system of claim 19, wherein the first indent and the second indent has a pressure plate with one or more springs or one or more friction members are positioned in the first indent and the second indent to further secure the first item and the second item. 